primate assay data sheet

Marburg virus

Test code: S0150 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of Marburg virus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction

Marburg virus is a single-stranded, negative sense RNA virus belonging to the Marburgvirus genus, which contains one species, Lake Victoria marburgvirus. The virus causes the disease Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever (MHF), or Marburg Virus Disease. Marburg virus was first discovered in Central and East Africa, and was found to infect both human and nonhuman primates. The Marburg virus belongs to Filoviridae, the same taxonomic family as Ebola virus.

The virus can be transmitted through blood, saliva, excrement, vomit and other bodily fluids. Early symptoms of viral infection are often non-specific and usually include fever, headache and muscle ache. Maculopapular rash is often present on the trunk after five days of infection. This progresses into acute symptoms which include jaundice, pancreatitis, weight loss, delirium and neuropsychiatric symptoms, hemorrhaging, hypovolemic shock and multi-organ failure. Currently, there is no specific treatment for infected patients and supportive care is the only option. The fatality rate is from 23% to over 90% (1, 2).

Marburg virus is a biosafety class IV agent. Caretakers of animals that are suspected to be infected should take appropriate precautions.

Serological detection of Marburg virus can be slow because antibody response may take some time to develop. However, PCR is a rapid, highly sensitive and highly specific technique for detection of this virus.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Help ensure that animal colonies are free of Marburg virus
• Early prevention of spread of the virus among a colony
• Minimize personnel exposure to the virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from primates

References:
1.       World Health Organization (2005) Marburg virus disease, Angola. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 80: 115–117.

2.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005) Outbreak of Marburg virus hemorrhagic fever-Angola, October 1, 2004–March 29. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 54: 308–309.

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml plasma or serum.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected